Spring Totem 1962 - 1963

Editor: This is William Turnbull’s “Spring Totem.” It’s made of wood and bronze. It feels primal, yet also strangely balanced. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a dialogue between nature and culture. The horizontal wood suggests the earthly, the feminine, evoking ancient fertility symbols, while the bronze sphere hints at the sun, the masculine, with its patina suggesting growth and transformation. Editor: So, it’s about more than just the materials themselves? Curator: Indeed. Turnbull uses the totem form – a potent symbol in many cultures – to explore these enduring archetypes, inviting us to contemplate the cyclical nature of existence. What feelings does the patina evoke in you? Editor: I think it's interesting how the textures on both materials suggest a kind of age. Thank you for sharing! Curator: My pleasure! It is an invitation to consider how symbols resonate across time.